Declan Donnelly remains silent as Britain's Got Talent wins BAFTA in Ant McPartlin's absence

Declan Donnelly remained silent as he and the production team accepted the BAFTA TV award for England has an incredible talent in the absence of Ant McPartlin.

The Ant and Dec-front show, which was fighting against their other program, Takeaway on Saturday eveningemerged victorious, after holding off fierce competition to win the award for best entertainment program.

As the star-studded group, including judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, and producers took to the stage, the usually jovial Dec, 42, stood sheepishly in the background (totally hidden at one point) and n didn’t say a word, as the show’s producer, Amelia Brown, gave a speech thanking everyone involved in BGT.

Producer Amelia Brown leads the thank yous on stage at the TV BAFTAS. (REX) — Producer Amelia Brown leads the on-stage acknowledgements at the TV BAFTAS. (REX)

Producer Amelia Brown leads the on-stage thank yous at the TV BAFTAS. (REX) — Producer Amelia Brown leads the on-stage acknowledgements at the TV BAFTAS. (REX)

Usually, Ant and Dec would have made a speech, but without his TV partner, the star took a step back and allowed others to speak.

Dec Donnelly refused to speak on stage after the show's BAFTA TV win. (REX) — Dec Donnelly refused to speak on stage after the show won the TV BAFTA. (REX)

The show’s Twitter account was eager to celebrate the win, but focused on the four judges rather than its hosts.

“WOOHOO! Thank you, BAFTA. What an incredible honour!” #“BGT,” the caption read.

“Thank you very much to BAFTA, thank you very much to ITV,” she began, before naming a series of other people involved in making the series.

She also thanked Thames and SyCo for their roles, before praising the talent of the actors who performed, while mentioning the “best hosts”.

“And obviously to all our talents. We have the best panel, the best hosts, and it’s wonderful to do this show, so thank you very much.

“And thank you to our participants. They make the show what it is and we couldn’t do it without them.”

Britain's Got Talent production team, judges and hosts attending the BAFTAS. (PENNSYLVANIA) — Britain’s Got Talent production team, judges and hosts attending the BAFTAS. (PENNSYLVANIA)

Britain's Got Talent production team, judges and presenters attending the BAFTAS. (PA) — Britain’s Got Talent production team, judges and hosts attending the BAFTAS. (PENNSYLVANIA)

This is the first time the series has won a BAFTA since 2010 and the second time in total. The series has been nominated five times and this is the first time Ant has not taken part, in light of his drink-driving conviction.

Earlier this year, Ant, 42, was arrested and charged with driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit. He has since undergone rehab (for the second time, after last year for drug addiction) to deal with his alcohol problem.

The star was ordered to pay £86,000 and banned from driving for 20 months. One of the show’s other presenters, Stephen Mullhern, said he thought the struggling Ant would be away for a while: “Fingers crossed Ant gets the treatment he needs and is back to his former self by next year.

Catch England has an incredible talent every Saturday at 8pm on ITV1.

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